Ivanchuk must not give up chess (and of course he won’t)

Disheartened from losing to a 16-year-old. Damn kids!

Vassily Ivanchuk : To my mind I should leave professional chess now. Chess will become hobby for me from now on. As for the signed contracts, yes, I will play in all tournaments which I have to. Perhaps I will even participate in a tournament before the new year. I should win something! And that will be the end. No serious plans, no professional goals….

It was not just a match, it was a crucial match. I am sure that from now on I should forget about any serious aims in chess. I don’t need anything from chess anymore. I will start new life with new goals. Chess… I will become just a chess fan now. I will follow chess, will follow the games of my ex-colleagues….

Chess is killing me. Chess is playing against me! Chess is destroying me! I would take it easy if my opponent would be much stronger than me, or he were better prepared. But my loss was so stupid, it is a sign of destiny, which screams: “Vasya, leave it, it is not your business”.

“Chess is a beautiful mistress to whom we keep coming back, no matter how many times she rejects us.” –Bent Larsen